Before the exam, take off shoes

Invigilators for the UP Board examinations have hit upon a novel idea to check copying—get the students to take off their shoes and socks before they enter the examination centre.

It was this idea which was in effect when students sitting for the Class X and Class XII board exams turned up at their examinations centres and were asked to remove their shoes and socks before entering the hall. District Inspector of School says this was done to check copying.

At the Sector 12 Govt Inter College, 351 Class XII students from a number of schools had come to sit for the English exam during the afternoon session that began at 2 pm.

At 1.35 pm, the Centre Incharge ordered the first bell and the invigilators reached their respective examination rooms. The students, let in at 1.45 pm after the second bell, were asked to stand in queues where the centre staff physically checked them to ensure there was no cheat sheet hidden in their clothes. The students were allowed to enter the examination centre area after checking their admit cards.

Outside the examination halls, the students were asked to take off their shoes and socks. However, chappals and sandals were allowed. Those who hadn’t taken off their shoes and socks were asked to go and remove them otherwise, they were told, they would not be allowed to sit for the exam.

Then the invigilators, using the admission sheet photos, also checked if the actual candidate was sitting for exam or not.

The examination finally began at 2 pm.

District Inspector of Schools, Jyoti Prasad, when asked, said, “This was done to check copying. We also check their arms to see if they have written any formulas or answers.”

Students to whom HT spoke at the examination centre said that after checking their shoes and socks they should have been allowed to wear them again instead of leaving them outside.